A Multiform, Group-Based Rehabilitation Program for Visually Impaired Young People to Promote Activity and Participation. A Pilot Study.

Anna-Liisa Salminen,Tiina Suomela-Markkanen,Tuija Heiskanen

doi:10.3390/ijerph16193682

Anna-Liisa Salminen, Tiina Suomela-Markkanen + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16193682

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Abstract

Young people with visual impairment (YPWVI) face several challenges in their everyday lives. However, little is known about interventions that focus on promoting their participation that contributes to health and well-being and is considered the most relevant outcome in rehabilitation. Objectives: This study investigated the clinical outcomes and acceptability of a new one-year, multiform, group-based rehabilitation program for YPWVI. The aim of the pilot program was to support them becoming more independent and to promote their participation. Rehabilitation consisted of group-meetings in an institutional setting, online group meetings, individually tailored one-on-one guidance, individual online discussions and parents’ group meetings. Fifteen young persons with visual impairment were recruited and 14 completed the intervention, six of whom were blind or had severe visual impairment and eight had mild visual loss. Methodology: The study utilized a mixed methods triangulation design. Clinical outcome measures were goal attainment scaling (GAS) and occupational performance (COPM) completed with qualitative interview data. Focus group interviews with participants and parents were used to evaluate the acceptability of the program. Results: GAS-rated personal goals were widely achieved and the scores of both performance and satisfaction scales of COPM improved. Overall, the rehabilitation program proved to be acceptable. Group-based rehabilitation was deemed very important and it enabled peer support. However, two-day periods of inpatient rehabilitation, proved to be too short, whereas five-day periods were considered to disturb schoolwork. Conclusions: Group-based multi-form rehabilitation for YPWVI can have a positive impact on activity and participation of the participants. The program can support independence and the achievement of rehabilitation goals. The group format was applauded for providing social support and company. The program required some structural modifications.

Highlights

Young people with visual impairment face challenges in many areas of their lives
In the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) interviews, program participants identified 65 important problems, of which 62 were associated with the ICF component Activity and Participation [reported in more detail in 14]. They faced challenges in participation most frequently with regard to domestic life, leisure activities, major life areas, interpersonal interaction and relationships, and mobility. Scores of both performance and satisfaction scales of the COPM improved at the end of the rehabilitation program
The findings suggest that online rehabilitation supported direct communication between young people and interaction through the rehabilitation professionals decreased during the rehabilitation program

Summary

Introduction

Young people with visual impairment face challenges in many areas of their lives. Disabled young people may often remain children longer than their peers due to, for example, overprotective parents and helpers, a lack of assistive devices or the nature of their disability [1]. The self-esteem of young persons with visual impairment is shown to not differ from that of their sighted peers, but relationships with friends contribute to enhancing the self-esteem of adolescents with visual impairments [2]. Young persons with special needs have fewer friends and consider themselves lonely more often than those without disabilities [3,4,5,6]. Some young persons with visual impairment, especially girls, need support in their psychosocial development [4]

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